Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province

Wuyi Mountain, in south-east China's Fujian province, on the border with Jiangxi, is in fact a series of red sandstone hills covering about 30 square miles. It is one of China's best known beauty spots.

A green river weaves its way around the red hills. Two of the best sites are of the "Three-Three" and the "Six-Six". The former is the river, which bends nine times as it meanders around the foot of the mountain, and the latter refers to the 36 peaks rising steeply from the river. For more than 1,000 years, poets have flocked there to write praises of its natural beauty.

The area is said to combine the awe of Huangshan Mountain, the elegance of the Guilin peaks and the grandeur of Mount Tai. Apart from its scenery, the Wuyi Mountain area contains many historical relics, such as the "Boat Coffins in Cliff Caves". From the Qin and Han dynasties, Taoists and necromancers visited the area to preach their doctrines. More than 300 monasteries, towers and pavilions were built, and over 700 inscriptions carved into the red rocks.